Re: Michter's Small Batch American Whiskey

Originally Posted by Josh

If it's not distilling anything then is it still a distillery? Or just a building with a still?

But seriously folks...from what I've read, their M.O. is to buy bulk whiskey from other distilleries then age, bottle and market it themselves. The only decent whiskey I've had from KBD is Rowan's Creek, which is mighty tasty stuff. Very smooth and sweet. Noah's Mill is an older version of RC, I think. Haven't tried that yet.

Re: Michter's Small Batch American Whiskey

I just did a tasting of Rowan's, Kentucky Vintage and Pure Kentucky XO. I liked Pure Kentucky XO the best and didn't care for the other two.

Pure Kentucky had the taste of an old HH product, much like Elijah Craig 18.

Kentucky Vintage was very light, possibly a wheater or a very low rye mashbill. I found it a bit soapy and lacking in complexity.

Rowan's Creek was very heavy on the rye, but it was a bit harsh, particularly for a 12 year old. (Barturtle, the Rowan's I had, which was newly purchased, did have an age statement, did they drop it recently?)

Re: Michter's Small Batch American Whiskey

Barturtle has it right about Chatham and KBD's DBA. The DBA thing is Kentucky law. As far as the feds are concerned, Chatham is the producer because they are the ones selling it to distributors. You might also call them a distributor, but I prefer the term non-distiller producer (NDP) because "distributor" has such a specific legal meaning in the booze world, as the middleman between producer and retailer.

Re: Michter's Small Batch American Whiskey

Wow... talk about a HIJACKED THREAD!!!!!

Okay, another question-- I heard a rumor that the current producer of Michter's bought the recipes along with the name, thus the current Michter's is still produced to the original mash recipes-- just with different water and different stills.

Can anyone substantiate this claim?

Oh yeah, I live 30 minutes from the original Michter's distillery in Shaefferstown, PA. It still has a lot of prestige amongst local customers 40 and over, hence my questions. Some of my co-workers and I are wondering if we should talk our beverage manager into carrying it.